World
Receiving ‘balanced assistance’ from US and Iran, says Iraq
Baghdad: Iraq has said that the country is receiving “balanced assistance” from the US and Iran in its fight against the Islamic State (IS) militant group.
“We are in a state of war… and there is a balanced US and Iranian assistance with weapons and intelligence to the Iraqi forces”, said Iraqi defence minister Khaled al-Obeidi on Monday during a joint press conference with the top US general, Martin Dempsey, according to a as per report.
Dempsey, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, is on a brief visit to the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Obeidi dismissed US fears that Iran was playing too big a role in Iraq’s fight against the IS.
“We have dealings with the world states, whether America or Iran… When Daesh (IS) captured some Iraqi cities, the situation of the army was very critical, so we asked for help from friends,” Obeidi said.
When asked if the US would use air power to protect Iraqi antiquities from destruction by the IS, Dempsey said it was possible to defend the Iraqi heritage sites with airstrikes, but that they must be “very precise” to avoid civilian casualties, as Washignton did not want to create additional suffering while targeting the IS in Iraq.
Dempsey is scheduled to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and senior US officials during his visit.
He is in Baghdad to meet Iraqi leaders and military officials to discuss the military cooperation and progress in the battle against the IS in the Iraqi province of Salahudin.
Iraqi security forces began their biggest offensive last week in an attempt to free the provincial capital city of Tikrit and other towns and villages across the province from IS militants.
The IS has forced thousands of Iraqis, mainly from minority communities, to flee their homes.
The group has seized vast swathes of territory in Iraq since June 2014 and announced the establishment of a caliphate in areas under its control in Iraq and Syria.
The US had built an international coalition to push back the IS expansion, carrying out airstrikes against the armed Islamist group in both Iraq and Syria.
National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.